Some days I love being the oldest and other days I wish I was my seven-year-old brother more than anything. If you’re the oldest child, then you probably saw the title of this article and had several thoughts running through your head including ones like… “Oh my gosh, why did my parents let my younger brother/sister go to the movies with their friends at 10:30? I wasn’t allowed to do that until I went off to college.” Or maybe, “Wow, I’m glad I’m the oldest child. I’m having so much fun going to college and having more freedom. HAHA younger siblings you still have several years before you’re in my shoes.” It’s a complicated relationship for sure, but here are some of the pros and cons we can all relate to:
1.You get to be the guinea pig
You begged your parents for a cell phone and eventually you got one. They realized you’re not as stupid as they thought and that being able to get in touch with you directly is helpful, so a few years later your younger sibling gets a nice phone at probably a younger age. You’re a test for everything. No big deal, mom and dad.
2.You have more freedom
Growing up we all had bedtimes at one point but it eventually came a time when you were like, “Okay, Mom, I want to watch the American Idol finale until 11.” And she couldn’t tell your cute face no, so you got to stay up late while your younger sibling was told no, go get in bed. You felt like you were on top of the world at that point until…
3.You realize younger siblings actually have more freedom than you
When you are in your young teenage years you want to stay out fairly late with your friends and go to the movies with your “boyfriend/girlfriend” (middle school relationships don’t count). I did not get to experience that very much, if at all, but now kids these days are going Pokemon hunting in cemetaries late at night like it’s no big deal. Then going to the movies. All the while you have real responsibilities now. Makes sense.
4.You win all the fights (until your brother turns 12 and grows a mustache and is suddenly 6 feet tall)
I realize this one only applies to a few of you. Are you really siblings if you don't have a good fight every now and then? I don’t mean screaming at each other, I mean hitting each other. My brother and I would fight over stupid things, of course, and I felt big and bad because I could pin my 7-year-old brother on the ground. Now I wouldn’t even try that; he could easily win with one arm behind his back. I’m pretty sure my brother who is 7 now could beat me up. Relatable?
5.You know how to get them in trouble.
You know the magic, deceiving words in order to turn it around to where they are the ones who get in trouble instead of you. Sometimes you would be super dramatic and even produce some tears if you were good enough. Then after they got in trouble you would laugh in their face or give them the side-eye look while they were in time out. That’s when you knew you were succeeding at being the oldest sibling.
All of those silly little issues were part of growing up and I wouldn’t trade that time for the world. Now that I’m not at home to pick on my brothers or pretend like I can beat them up, I miss it more than anything. Being the oldest sibling is frustrating, but also rewarding. You get to watch your siblings grow up and you learn how to be another mom to them at times. I wouldn’t want to be the youngest or middle child; I like being right where I am.
